2013 Hyundai Sonata
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 1,910 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 2nd highest complaint count among 26 Sonata model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 93 involved a crash and 97 involved a fire. 77 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 6, 2022
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time, due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
A cracked fuel hose may leak fuel, which can increase the risk of a fire.
Dealers will replace the low pressure fuel hose, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 10, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 227. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 20V-121. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 20V-121 that did not receive a replacement fuel hose will need to have this new recall remedy performed.
Campaign 22V312000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsFeb 28, 2020
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata vehicles. The low pressure fuel hose that connects the low pressure fuel pump to the direct injection fuel pump may crack over time due to heat generated within the engine compartment.
If the fuel line cracks, a fuel leak can occur, increasing the risk of a fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the low-pressure fuel hose for damage or leaking, replacing it as necessary. If no damage or leaking is found, heat-protective tape will be installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began August 10, 2020. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 189. This recall has been replaced by NHTSA recall number 22V-314.
Campaign 20V121000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineDec 28, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2013-2014 Santa Fe Sport vehicles previously repaired under recall numbers 15V-568 and 17V-226. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned, or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, allowing fuel to leak from the pipe.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 1, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's recall number for this recall is 180.
Campaign 18V934000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerFeb 27, 2018
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. On February 27, 2018, Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) notified NHTSA that they were recalling 154,753 model year 2011 Sonata vehicles. On April 18, 2018, Hyundai expanded the recall to include an additional 425,305 model year 2012-2013 Sonata and 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the event of a crash, the air bag control unit (ACU) may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying.
If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will install an external wire filter kit, free of charge. The recall began October 15, 2018. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 174.
Campaign 18V137000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, pretensionerOct 4, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles previously repaired under recall campaign 17V-152. The seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
If the seat belt linkage detaches from the seat belt anchorage, it can not properly restrain the occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will again verify the connection between the seat belt linkage and the pretensioner and additionally install a warning label to prevent future seat belt linkage detachment, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 169.
Campaign 17V617000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 31, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Sonata and Santa Fe Sport vehicles. Machining errors during the engine manufacturing process may cause premature bearing wear within the engine.
Bearing wear may result in the engine seizing, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine, replacing the engine short block, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 162.
Campaign 17V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, anchorageMar 8, 2017
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2014 Sonata and 2011-2015 Sonata Hybrid vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the seat belt linkages for both front seat belts may detach from the seat belt anchor pretensioners.
In the event of a crash, if the seat belts detach from the anchor pretensioners, it can increase the risk of injury.
Hyundai will notify owners and dealers will inspect the connection between the seat belt linkages and the seat belt anchor pretensioners, repairing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 7, 2017. Owner's may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for the recall is 160.
Campaign 17V152000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmissionJul 18, 2014
Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, through May 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from from the shift lever pin.
If the transmission shift cable detaches, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver parks the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position and the parking brake is not applied, there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, repair the connection between the shift cable and shift lever, free of charge. The recall began in September 2014. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 123.
Campaign 14V434000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/windowJul 24, 2012
Hyundai is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Hyundai Sonata passenger cars, manufactured from January 24, 2012, through June 21, 2012. The curtain side airbags on these vehicles may inflate without deployment command due to an error during manufacturing.
The curtain airbag may inflate without deployment command and increase the risk of injury to occupants of the vehicle. Additionally, an unexpected deployment would be a significant driver distraction and would limit the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Hyundai dealers will notify owners, and dealers will replace the curtain side airbags free of charge. This recall began on August 31, 2012. Owners may contact Hyundai at 1-800-633-5151.
Campaign 12V352000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
102 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Aug 3, 2022
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING WHILE IF AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING IS DEFECTIVE Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY HYUNDAI WITHIN OTHER SONATA MODELS BUT NOT MY SONATA Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHICH DISABLES THE ENTIRE FUNCTION OF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM
Air bags, Jul 8, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at the traffic light with a passenger sitting in the front passenger seat, another vehicle crashed into the driver's side front end of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained whiplash and soreness on the neck, shoulder, and back. The other passenger sustained soreness all over the body. The contact and the other passenger later sought medical assistance. A police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence though the bumper had detached and the vehicle was shuddering while driving. The vehicle was towed to an autobody shop for repair. The vehicle was then towed to an unknown local Hyundai dealer where the tires and frame were inspected. The dealer was notified of the air bags failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V137000 (Seat Belts, Air Bags), which she associated with the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2022
I have reported several times to hyundai that the dashboard has several cracks on the area of the airbag on the passenger side and driver side. I was instructed to take it to dealer which I did and I was informed that it is considered a cosmetic issue. I do not have a custom made dashboard and my concern is that those cracks will be continue to get bigger to the point it will cause the airbag to deploy at any time.
Power train, Air bags, Dec 30, 2021, crash
The contact owns a 2013 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated that upon placing the vehicle into the (R) reverse position; the vehicle independently accelerated backward into her neighbor's driveway and hit two parked vehicles. The vehicle came to a stop when it crashed into the second vehicle and that second parked vehicle was deemed destroyed. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. No injuries were reported and a police report was filed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle back across the street and parked the vehicle on the road. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed her that since her vehicle was involved in an assurance claim, they could not render any assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed her that an investigation could not be performed unless she signed a waiver. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the contact. The failure mileage was 76,876.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 24, 2021
I have reported issues to local Hyundai and they refuse to look and correct recalls do to mileage. I need recalls repaired immediately.
Air bags, Sep 21, 2021
Very concerned about extensive "cracking" on dashboard on and around passenger side airbag designation. Could this affect deployment of the airbag?
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2021
The dashboard is showing major cracking and I am concerned that the air bags may self deploy. I have seen other drivers online with the same issue.
Air bags, Engine, Jul 28, 2021, crash
The contact owned a 2013 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at 20-30 MPH, he heard an abnormal beeping sound and the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and remained on the floorboard, the steering wheel locked, and the vehicle crashed into a fire hydrant. There was severe damage to the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, where it was totaled. The contact sustained injuries in the head and sought medical attention. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Air bags, Jun 17, 2021
My boyfriend was driving on highway and airbags deployed with no accident, worried about his safety he had to drive home with the airbags deployed on seats and driver side over the window air bag busted all the way into back seat over window. He is hurt. Called Hyundai 6/8 still no one assigned to my case. police was called report#21199526. They changed my engine maybe 6 months ago; my engine blew smelling smoke while driving and car just cut off, they replaced engine free of charge and my car has been falling apart since and yes my airbag light been on since they change motor and told me it will go away but it never went off. Per my research there was a recall for airbags back in 2012. I bought the car used from a dealership in 2015
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 7, 2021
MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME FOR NO REASON, THEY CHECKED THE ERROR CODES FOR AIRBAG THEY GOT CODES B1388 AND B1481 AIRBAG RESISTANCE TOO HIGH AND SEAT TRACK POSITION SENSOR WHICH THEY STATED IS AN ISSUE WITH THE CLOCKSPRING. WHEN I RESEARCH THIS ISSUE I FOUND THIS RECALL TSB ITS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR 2011-2013 HYUNDAI SONATA BUT FOR SOME REASON MY CAR OR VIN NUMBER SAYS I AM NOT INCLUDED OR COVERED, I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THIS AS THE DEALER AS THERE IS A UNLIMITED MILEAGE WARRANTY EXTENSION AND THE DEALER IS QUOTING ME $400+ TO REPLACE IT AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 23, 2021
MY AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON.
Air bags, Dec 23, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON AND OFF FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE LIGHT STAYED ON ALL THE TIME. SO, IF I WAS TO GET IN A CAR ACCIDENT THE AIRBAGS WOULDNT WORK DUE TO THE SENSOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. HYUNDAI WOULDN'T FIX IT BECAUSE ITS NOT A RECALL, YET IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN SINCE IT INVOLVES AIRBAGS. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.
Air bags, Oct 24, 2020, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT LAST WEEK , THIS OTHER VEHICLE HIT ME FROM BEHIND AT A SPEED OF 40 MPH APPROXIMATELY. NOW THE STRANGE THING WAS THAT AT THE IMPACT THE OTHER VEHICLE'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED MINE DID NOT BUT I DID SEE IN MY DASHBOARD THE LIGHT OF THE AIR BAG AS IF IT WAS DEPLOYED IN MY CAR...SO I'M THINKING THAT IT'S DEFECTIVE.
Air bags, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 4, 2020
URGENT. 1) DEFECTIVE ENGINE PER HYUNDAI'S ADMISSION. I WILL NOT ACCEPT A SOFTWARE 'BANDAID' APPROACH TO PATCH TO MY MAIN ECM TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I DID GO IN TO SHEPPARD MOTORS TO GET THIS BANDAID APPLIED TO MY CAR. THIS IS A BANDAID, AND SHAME ON HYUNDAI. MY ENGINE IS WARRANTIED THROUGH JULY 2023. I'VE BEEN AROUND. 2) MY CAR IS BRAND NEW, WITH ONLY 27,400 MILES ON HER 3) THE LATEST RECALL ON BOTH THE LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE/ HOSES ETC. SHOULD I WAIT FOR A FIRE HERE? DEAR NHTSA: PLEASE LOOK UP ALL OF THE RECALLS AND EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON MY VEHICLE. UNACCEPTABLE TO ME. I BELIEVE THAT NO QUALITY CONTROL WHATSOEVER WAS PRACTICED AND APPLIED ON THE FACTORY PRODUCTION LINES. HYUNDAI FOCUS -- BIG MONEY. PRESSURING FACTORY WORKERS TO PUT IN ANY PART THEY CAN FIND. I HAVE SOME STORIES HERE ABOUT THE AUDIO SYSTEM ON MY CAR THAT WILL ABSOLUTELY BLOW YOUR COLLECTIVE MINDS. I'VE BEEN AROUND. 4) HYUNDAI LONG SINCE SENT ME EXTENDED WARRANTIES ON A) THE ENTIRE ENGINE B) BRAKE PEDAL STOPPER C) FRONT COIL SPRINGS D) SEAT BELT TENSIONERS (DRIVERS TENSIONER WAS ALREADY REPLACED, AND YET, IT STILL DOES NOT RETRACT COMPLETELY WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE PRAY TELL, WHAT GIVES HYUNDAI? NEW CAR HERE. MY GREATEST CONCERNS ABOUT THIS NEW CAR THAT I PAID FOR IN CASH -- AND WAS DEFRAUDED IN THAT PROCESS AS WELL -- I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A HONDA FOR MUCH LESS, AND NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. I AM RATHER FRUSTRATED HERE AND PRAY FOR GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY AND INTERVENTION. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. #1 I NEED A BRAND NEW MOTOR, THE WHOLE MOTOR, WHICH HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY QUALITY CONTROL TESTED AND PROVEN, AND WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETELY TESTED. MY MOTOR IS VERY, VERY NOISY. SO, DO I WAIT FOR THE ROD BEARINGS TO FAIL COMPLETELY AND STALL OUT MY CAR, CAUSING A FATAL CRASH? #2 I NEED BOTH MY LOW AND HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINES AND HOSES, ETC. REPLACED
Air bags, Structure, Sep 19, 2020
TWO CRACKS (6 INCHES OR LONGER) HAVE APPEARED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD (AROUND THE "AIR BAG" INDICATION ON THE DASH). I AM VERY CONCERNED THIS WILL COMPROMISE THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG IF NECESSARY. A FORMAL COMPLAINT (CASE#17284937) WAS LOGGED IN BY HYUNDAI, BUT NO REMEDY WAS GIVEN.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 18, 2020
AIR BAG EXPLODED BY ITSELF EFFECT THE THE SEAT BELTS. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, May 14, 2020
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG COME OUT BY ITSELF , AND ALL THE FRONT AND BACK STRUTS ARE BAD NEED TO BE CHANGED. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Feb 13, 2020, crash
AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY AND THE SEATBELT RELEASED ME I BUMP MY HEAD ON THE SIDE OF THE DOOR BLANK OUT AND WAS AWAKEN WHEN MY HEAD HIT THE DASH . CAR IS TOTAL
Air bags, Feb 5, 2020, crash
I HAD AM ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT HARD AND DAMAGE TO PASSENGER SIDE AN THE AIRBAGS DIDNT GO OFF. I WAS IN MOTION ON US 19 HIGHWAY.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2019
THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOUT 18 INCHES. OUR HYUNDAI SERVICE REP SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY THE AIRBAGS UNDER THE DASHBOARD EXPANDING FROM THE HEAT. HYUNDAI SHOULD REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, OBVIOUSLY MADE OF FAULTY MATERIAL. OUR REP SAID IT WOULD COST US $1,000.00. I'M AFRAID THAT AIRBAGS WILL CRACK IT COMPLETELY IN HALF AND THEN THE CAR WOULD NOT BE DRIVABLE.
Air bags, Aug 26, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED, BUT I HAVE NO RECORD OF THEM EVER HAVING REPAIRED IT. THANKS, RLC
Air bags, Wheels, Aug 8, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OVER A CURB. CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REGAINED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SLOW THE VEHICLES SPEED BUT CRASHED INTO A LIGHT POST. THE WINDSHIELD CAVED INTO THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE CAME THROUGH THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT'S WIFE ENCOUNTERED THE SIDE OF THE DOOR AND THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. THE CONTACT AND THEIR WIFE SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, TORN LIGAMENTS, CRACKED STERNUM, CRACKED RIBS AND A FRACTURED OR CRACKED LEFT ANKLE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIGHT RIBS, CONCUSSION, CRACKED STERNUM, FRACTURED RIGHT THUMB AND MEMORY LOSS, AND A POPPED BURSA SAC. BOTH INJURED REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jul 2, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 17V617000 (SEAT BELTS) AND 18V137000 (SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. COURTESY HYUNDAI (3810 W HILLSBORO AVE, TAMPA, FL 33614) CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
Air bags, Jun 7, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER SON WAS DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, HIS SHOE WAS ENTANGLED/STUCK IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A FENCE AND A TOWNHOUSE. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 21, 2019
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR MORE THAN 60 DAYS AND THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE REPAIR OF THE SAFETY RECALLS.